Typhoon Bavi, a behemoth storm system spanning nearly 1,000km in width, is poised to make landfall on Sunday morning in eastern China, with hundreds of thousands evacuated from Zhejiang province as authorities scramble to mitigate the worst effects. The city of Wenzhou, home to around 10 million people, lies directly in the projected path of the storm, which has weakened to a Category 1 typhoon but still poses a significant risk of flooding and landslides due to its massive rain bands.
Following in the wake of Typhoon Maysak earlier this week, which claimed at least 39 lives and left a trail of destruction across southern China, Bavi's arrival threatens to exacerbate already strained emergency services and infrastructure. The storm has already brought heavy rainfall to Taiwan and was responsible for landslides and 17 fatalities in the Philippines during its previous passage.
British nationals residing in or planning to travel to the affected areas of China are advised against all but essential travel, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which highlights the risks associated with severe weather events such as typhoons. Travellers are urged to monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities.
The economic implications for China could be substantial, particularly for its agricultural sector and coastal infrastructure, with two major typhoons striking in quick succession likely to result in significant recovery and rebuilding costs. While direct trade implications for the UK are not immediately apparent, any prolonged disruption to supply chains from major Chinese ports could have knock-on effects for international shipping and global markets.